TURUA RATEPAYERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4524, 7 February 1923, Page 4

TURUA RATEPAYERS.

—' ♦ MEETING OF ASSOCIATION. A meeting of the Turua Ratepayers’ Association was held in the Turua Buildings on Monday last. In the absence of the President Mr A. H. Rogers was appointed to the chai”. Twelve ratepayers were present. THE WHARF. The Thames Harbour Board wrote stating that the suggestion to appoint a caretaker and wharfinger permanent.’,. at Turua could not be taken seriously, as it would mean a substantial increase in the wages fpr the wharfinger. To meet this increase a delivery charge would be required, and such an arrangement would hardly be acceptable to the Turua people. However, the previous wharfinger would observe regular hours, and the Northern Steamship Co. would hold a key of the shed. If the ships left a correct copy of the manifest, in the shed and the consignees were fair in their intentions an exaimnation of the manifest would readily disclose whether the goods expected had arrived. Considerable discussion ensued, members contending that the amount of Wharfage warranted the employment of a wharfinger. Mr Newman was of the opinion that the Harbour Board was not familiar with the position, and that a deputation should be sent to the Harbour Board. Mr J. Green pointed out that the tonnage passed over the wharf in 1921 was 2772 tons, and the dues paid £485, but -now it would be 25 per cent, more owing to the natural increase, and would increase still more if consigneesl knew their goods would be safe in the shed. Mr W. Madgwick moved that a deputation consisting of Messrs. A. Ft. Rogers, W. Madgwick, and J. Green wait upon the Harbour Board at its meeting in a month’s time with a view to coming to some arrangement regarding the appointment of a wharfinger at Turua. Seconded by Mr J. Schmidt and carried. Mr Cameron suggested that all information concerning Turua wharf be obtained from the Board by letter before then. THE FERRIES CONFERENCE:. Mr Madgwick moved that, the meeting approve of the combined council's

action at the Ferries Conference.— i Seconded by Mr Baker and carried. | STOCK INSPECTOR. I | Mr Newman pointed out that the 1 stock inspector was not on the tele- ( phone. | Mr Rogers moved that the secre- i tary be instructed to write to the Department and request that the stocir I inspector be connected to the phone. | ROADING QUESTION. 1 Tn reply to questions Mr R. Cam- , eron, a Taranaki engineer, stated that the Tuiua district was as favourably situated as regards metal as any district in Taranaki, where metal cost £1 a yard. The foundations here ' weie good, and Puriri shingle was ' equal to any in Taranaki. Hard stone I was not so necessary now, as it was considered better to make the wearing surface of bitumen or tar. About Sin of loose metal would be ainple for any road. He would not recommend four inches, as the water would come up underneath and saturate itHe advocated at least a 12ft, road on the Plains, as with a less width the sides would get broken when' carts passed. Frost would not affect tarsealed roads, as tar penetrated so deep. He could not judge how a bitumen r,oad .would wear under less than r year’s trial. Mr Rogers’ proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Cameron fm attending and giving information. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair.